In December 2009, the project partners West- and East-Flanders organized a DC NOISE project team meeting in Ostend, Belgium.

The DC NOISE demonstration pilots of West- and East-Flanders were presented to all partners.

This demonstration projects deal with demographic change and its effect on different policy domains, such as housing, labour market, education and (care) services.

The Province of West-Flanders gave a state of affairs about the pilot “Translating prognoses into concrete consequences”. Another project that was presented by the Province of West-Flanders is about the reintegration of 50+ job-seekers into the labour market: “Demography and age-conscious staff policy, 50+ citizens and the labour market, sensitizing and reinforcing”. The Province of East-Flanders introduced their project: “A healthy care of the healthcare”. This pilot aims to increase the activity level in the healthcare sector.

All demonstration projects were being reviewed by a peer review panel (theme and general advocates). A formalized report (DC NOISE CHECK) was handed over to the presenting partners with comments and recommendations. For instance, the advocates recommended to be more transparent about the background and method of the prognoses, since prognoses can be interpreted in different ways. The Province of West-Flanders also got the advice to raise more awareness among the public. That’s why they made a television broadcast. The “50+ - project” was advised to use a questionnaire in order to sensitize employers. In the meantime, an “age-scan screening tool” has been developed in order to help companies determine if their work force has a balanced age structure.

Based on the advocate’s comments, the Provinces West- and East-Flanders formulated some action points that will help them to finish their projects in the right direction. On their turn, the theme and general advocates discovered some similarities and learning points concerning their projects.

 
By Rebecca Verhaeghe

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